All-new fourth-generation Escalade is the most advanced – and quiet – Caddy SUV ever built

By Andrew McCredie

Originally published: July 20, 2014

That was the lasting impression after we’d motored deep into cottage country during the official Canadian launch of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, the all-new fourth generation of the luxury automaker’s flagship vehicle.

Two hours earlier, deep in the heart of the country’s largest city, Cadillac engineers underscored the efforts made to banish road, wind, engine and exhaust noise from the completely redesigned SUV’s seven-occupant cabin. Often there is a ring of hyperbole to engineering briefings at new vehicle press launches, but after negotiating Toronto’s downtown core north to where suburbia gives way to farmland, it became quietly apparent their loud boasts were most justified.

Credit goes to a number of changes, including inlaid and triple-sealed doors, a new exterior mirror design, acoustic laminate glass, even the relocation of the fuel pump complete with acoustic cover.

All work in concert to provide an amazingly quiet cabin at highway speeds, most notably in terms of wind noise, as the big SUV cuts through the air like one of the automaker’s sexy sport sedans.

And the good news for fans of the Escalade, the history-making SUV that in 1999 became Cadillac’s first-ever truck, is that this fourth-generation model has been improved upon in almost every other aspect over the outgoing model.

Built as it always has been in Texas, the Escalade still comes in short and long wheelbase models, but that and the distinctive Caddy grille represent the only major carryovers from 2014.

There’s an all-new engine — a 6.2-litre V8 with 17 more horsepower (420) and 43 more pound-feet of torque (460) over the outgoing powerplant.

There’s an improved and more efficient active fuel management system, a computer-controlled feature that shuts down cylinders when extra power is not required and one that gives the 2015 Escalade segment-leading V8 fuel efficiency (in two-wheel drive).

There’s an all-new four-wheel-drive drivetrain that replaces an all-wheel-drive system, with three settings depending on road conditions, including a fuel-usage-friendly two-wheel drive mode.

There’s a standard Gen 3 Magnetic Ride Control system derived from the new Corvette’s suspension system and said to be the fastest-acting suspension available in any production vehicle in the world.

The third-row seating is now of the stow-and-go variety, replacing the removable back row seating. This standard feature is not only more convenient but provides an increase in cargo capability and capacity. In addition, the second row seating folds flat also, providing a massive holding area if required. Owners who want to can still remove the third row seating, though that requires a socket wrench.

All told, the new Escalade improves upon its predecessor in all aspects. But there are still a couple of shortcomings.

First and foremost is the transmission, an automatic six-speed relic that belies the technology available within the GM family. However, that could change shortly as GM announced late last week the coming availability of an all-new eight-speed automatic for the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, both equipped with the same 6.2-litre V8 as the new Escalade. Expect to see an eight-speed gearbox option sooner rather than later.

The other weakness in an otherwise rock-solid luxury SUV package is the lack of an independent rear suspension. That’s the way the Escalade’s biggest competitor, the Mercedes-Benz GL, is sprung. Escalade project manager Craig Couch told me they looked at putting that kind of suspension into the new Escalade, but it would have required a retooling investment to the tune of around $200 million, so the decision was made to focus on making improvements in other areas, most of which are mentioned above.

On the subject of money, pricing ranges from $79,900 for the standard model; $85,500 for the Luxury Collection; and $90,500 for the top-of-the-line Premium Collection.

The long wheelbase version of the new Escalade, called the ESV. It’s 20 inches in extended length provide more foot room for third-row passengers and more cargo space in the rear.Andrew McCredie, Driving

Cadillac Canada expects 70% of sales to be the short wheelbase model, and 2015 Escalade overall sales to represent about 20% of all Cadillac sales across the country.

I had a turn behind both short and long wheelbase models, the latter referred to as the Escalade ESV. The two are the same back to the second-row doors, with the 51.8 extra centimetres in the longer model made up in the rear doors and back-end. Most of that length adds to the rear cargo hold, but there is also more legroom for third-row passengers in the ESV over the short wheelbase model.

From a driving perspective, the longer wheelbase’s 71 extra kilos are noticeable when accelerating, but handling of both models is surprisingly nimble and light.

The magnetic suspension system has two settings – touring and sport – and the only time the sport setting is really that noticeable is when you throw the big SUV in a turn at speed, and those sensors computing at milliseconds keep things quite orderly in terms of body roll.

Bold vertical LED headlights are one of the many new design cues on the 2015 Cadillac Escalade.Andrew McCredie, Driving

There is a sense of the size of the SUV when first underway, particularly in city driving, but out on the open roadways these vehicles are easy to handle and in no way intimidating.

The power is more than ample, and that 470 lb.-ft. torque number will certainly make the job of towing a boat or trailer all that more confident. As will that hoped for eight-speed transmission.

There’s good reason that Cadillac is currently the fastest growing luxury brand in the world, what with a complete re-invention of its sport sedans and coupes over the past couple of years.

The 2015 Escalade benefits from many of the lessons learned and technologies employed in those models, and brings the luxury automaker’s halo SUV that much further along in its evolution.